Grand Canyon

Everyone knows Arizona is the Grand Canyon State. So the first family adventure would be none other than a road trip to northern Arizona to take in the scenic views of the magnificent Colorado River and wide spread canyon walls of the Grand Canyon. The South Rim is the most popular canyon destination just 50 miles outside of Williams, AZ and the famous Route 66. You can find ample lodging, eateries and hiking for all ability levels. It you want someone else to drive while you enjoy the views, you can hop on the Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, AZ and relax….oh except for those pesky Cowboys who rob the train sometime along the way.

Sedona

The town of Sedona, about an hour and a half drive north of Phoenix, is situated in a stunning setting, surrounded by red rock mountains and buttes. There are fabulous views from the main highway running through the town and almost every street corner. Slide Rock in Sedona, Arizona is one of the nation’s Top 10 Swimming destinations for both local folk and travelers. “Located seven miles north of Sedona, Slide Rock State Park houses a smooth natural water slide formed from red sandstone that cascades into a cooling swimming hole. During the hot and dry Arizona summers, the park often sees capacity crowds coming to cool off at this picturesque desert waterfall.” — USA Today. The swimming area is located on National Forest land and is a famous backdrop to Hollywood movies such as “Broken Arrow” and “Drum Beat.”

Monument Valley

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park straddles the border between Arizona and Utah. The impressive Wild West landscape includes jagged rock formations, dramatic buttes, and sand dunes. Visitors can do a self -guided driving tour through the valley, take a guided or photography tour, or simply appreciate some of the views from the passing highway.

Hoover Dam

While exploring the western side of the state a trip to Hoover Dam is one of the world’s great engineering marvels. This massive structure, completed in 1935, crosses the Colorado River, linking Arizona and Nevada. It is 726 feet high and 1,244 feet long. Lake Mead, held back by the Hoover Dam, is the largest artificial lake in the United States. It is 110 miles long, and holds the equivalent of two years of flow of the Colorado River.

Lake Powell

The Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a stunning area of blue water, desert landscape, and dramatic stone walls. In addition to Glen Canyon, the area is also home to Lake Powell, one of the largest manmade lakes in the United States. The town of Page is a good base for exploring the Glen Canyon National Recreation area and surrounding region. The largest marina on Lake Powell, Wahweap Marina, is located just 7 miles north of Page.

Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park is a great place to experience the desert landscape around Tucson and see the famous saguaro cacti up close. The park has two sections, an east and a west portion, located on the east and west side of Tucson, approximately a half hour apart. Both offer great opportunities to see the desert flora and fauna with roads and hiking trails. There are also challenging hiking options available with trails that lead up into the high mountains, reaching up to 8000’ in elevation. Visitors can visit both sections of the park on the same entrance ticket or park pass.

London Bridge

Lake Havasu City’s main attraction is the 1831 London Bridge which was bought in 1968 and re-erected here. Purchased for $2.6 million by city founder Robert McCulloch, the granite arch bridge now connects Lake Havasu City’s mainland and island. Its original length of 1005’ has been reduced to 952 ft. There are plenty of shops and restaurants as well as paddle board rentals available to enjoy.

Arizona offers plenty of water sports activity to stay cool in the summer and a variety of ski/snowboarding destinations in the high country for winter recreation. Taking some time to drive the famous Arizona Highways and visiting local favorites is sure to be GRAND. Enjoy!